Jamshedpur court sends warrant for Raj Thackeray

Mumbai, Oct 20 (IANS) A day after his supporters attacked non-Maharashtrians appearing for a railway exam here, Mumbai Police Monday received a non-bailable arrest warrant against Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray issued by a Jamshedpur court. The MNS chief’s lawyers also rushed to Ranchi to move the Jharkhand High Court for anticipatory bail, a MNS official said.

The warrant against Thackeray had been issued by the Jamshedpur court three weeks ago for his alleged defamatory utterances against Biharis. The case, filed by a lawyer Hamed Razaa Khan, also accused Thackeray of hurting religious sentiments of a particular section of the society.

Thackeray has been ordered by the court to personally appear before it Nov 17 for a hearing. Thackeray is currently on a tour of Pune, Nashik and Malegaon and will reach Mumbai Thursday, his aides said.

The Jamshedpur court warrant is likely to be executed by the Shivaji Park police station. Thackeray’s residence is located in its jurisdiction.

Despite repeated attempts, top police officials in Mumbai remained unavailable for comment.